CONCERNING EGGS 63 



The proechidna is considerably larger than the 

 ordinary echidnas, an adult measuring over two 

 feet in length. Its body is clothed in rather short 

 and blackish-brown hair which has been likened 

 unto velvet in texture. From this arise a number 

 of short and whitish spines but an inch or two in 

 length, and being very sparsely distributed over the 

 body. 



The creature's snout is much longer in proportion 

 to that of the echidnas, and it is also unique in the 

 fact that it curves downwards like the bill of an 

 avocet. 



Found in north-west Guinea in the districts of 

 Mount Arfak and Mont des Karous, the proechidna 

 dwells amidst the rocky ground in situations away 

 from the sea at an elevation generally exceeding 3,450 

 feet. The natives, who know the animal by the 

 name of ' nokdiak,' used to hunt it for the sake of 

 procuring its flesh, but it is very doubtful whether 

 they often get the opportunity of supping upon 

 the creature at the present day owing to its 

 rarity. 



Only two living specimens, one of which is still 

 living at the time of writing, have ever been seen in 

 this country. These arrived at the London Zoo in 

 November, 1912. 



Of the reptiles which lay eggs, we will take 

 as our first examples the alligators and croco- 

 diles. 



During the pairing season the female of the 

 former makes a nest of twigs, reeds, etc., which 

 measures about ten feet across, and is situated a 



